Palos Verdes Institute of Technology

Underwater ROV (Remotely-Operated Vehicle)

The Underwater ROV (remotely operated vehicle) team builds a unique robot each year that is capable of completing a variety of tasks underwater based on our competition specifications.. While we build the ROV, we learn many important skills such as soldering, 3D CAD design, 3D printing, how to use power tools, and computer programming. We function as if it were a real company that is making a proposal of our ROV to a customer, so in addition to learning engineering skills, we also learn entrepreneurial skills necessary for running a company. 

In May of each year, we compete in the MATE ROV Regional Competition where we demonstrate the abilities of our ROV such as maneuvering around objects in the bottom of the pool, picking up or placing things with our claw, and identifying objects with our underwater cameras. The competition aims to solve the multiple issues our planet’s oceans and waterways face. If we place first in their regional competition (which we often do!), then we are given the opportunity to compete at the MATE ROV World Championships against teams from all over the world who are just as passionate as we are at solving marine ecosystemic problems.